Instagram has changed its algorithm, and the change is going to make it harder for your posts to get seen. But there are some steps you can take to improve your chances of being seen on the popular app. Here's what you need to know about the new Instagram algorithm and how to adjust your posting strategy accordingly:
How does it work?
The Instagram algorithm is a computer program that uses data to find patterns in data. It identifies the posts that you should see first, based on your activity on Instagram and your history with Instagram. For example, if you post about Starbucks every single day, then the algorithm will prioritize your posts about Starbucks when it's deciding which posts to show you.
The algorithm is constantly changing and evolving along with its user base—and it's always been a bit of a mystery for those who don't understand how computers work! So we want to take some time here to explain what the algorithm does (and doesn't) do:
What's changed?
The new algorithm is based on engagement. This means that Instagram will be showing you content that you are most likely to engage with, rather than a random selection of posts from accounts you follow.
The platform wants to show you what you want to see, and they’ve designed the algorithm so it can do that. They want your followers not only to stay engaged but also increase over time – this is why they introduced the new algorithm in the first place!
Your feed consists of photos posted by people or brands that you choose to follow on Instagram (or have previously followed). There’s no guarantee that every single post from an account will make it into your feed; some might end up in a ‘Pending Posts’ folder for example (if there are too many pending posts). So even though an account may have shared several images since last time, these might not all appear in your feed immediately after being shared due to space constraints imposed by Instagram itself - whatever algorithms decide is most relevant at any given moment will determine who gets featured more prominently than others within those restrictions however small or large they may seem initially."
Why did they change it?
Instagram’s algorithm was changed to ensure that the most relevant content is seen by users. They also want to make sure that the content people see is engaging, and that it comes from people they follow. These goals have been stated repeatedly by Instagram officials, but their exact meaning has never been explained in detail.
Is it a good thing or a bad thing?
The algorithm is a good thing for Instagram, because it helps the site get more traffic and show users the best content. It's also good for users who can see more of what they like, which means a better experience on the app. The algorithm is bad for businesses because it will be harder to get noticed, but when you do get noticed by your followers, you'll have a higher chance of them engaging with your post and becoming loyal customers.
How to do better with the new algorithm
There are a few things you can do to make sure that your Instagram posts are seen by the people who follow you. You should be following the rules, using hashtags, posting quality content, using relevant hashtags and posting at the right time of day and week.
It might seem like there's a lot of pressure on you to post quality content all the time but it's actually not that difficult if you have an idea of what your audience wants from their feed. If they're into fashion then they'll probably appreciate seeing pictures featuring high-end designers or new trends in clothing design (this person has over 1 million followers so it makes sense). If they love sports then maybe some athlete updates would go over well (this person has over 2 million followers).
The best way is just to listen closely to what people say in their comments about what kind of stuff they want on their feeds!
It's going to take some extra work to get your content seen on Instagram now.
Now that you know how the algorithm works, here's what you can do to get your content seen by more people.
Focus on quality over quantity. While the amount of likes and comments you get is still an important metric for Instagram (since they're used to determine which posts show up in a user's feed), it's not as important as it was before. You should still strive for high engagement rates, but don't focus on getting hundreds or thousands of likes just because they look good in a screenshot—that only helps if someone browsing through their Explore page notices your post and decides to follow you. Instead of trying to go viral with every single post, try posting more than once per day with unique content that appeals to your specific target audience. For example, if I were targeting fashion bloggers who love cats (which I am), I might post about cat-themed clothing from my favorite brands—but this could be risky since those bloggers probably already know about these brands! That said...
Be consistent with your posting schedule. It's tempting to post less often now that there are fewer people seeing each individual post; however doing so can actually hurt engagement rates over time because followers will unfollow when they don't see new updates in their feeds anymore! If possible stick with posting daily at least once or twice per week—the frequency isn't as important as sticking with one schedule so people know when new updates will come out from you (and then hopefully engage accordingly).
Conclusion
In the past, Instagram has been a platform that relied heavily on its algorithm. That means you could post something and it would get seen by all your followers—or at least most of them. But now they’re moving away from that model, and it’s going to take some extra work to get your content seen by anyone! Luckily for us, there are still ways to make sure your posts don’t get lost in the shuffle: try reposting old photos with new captions or hashtags (like #InstagramAlgorithm) to see if anything sticks. And remember that while Instagram is a visual platform first and foremost, text can sometimes be just as important as an image; don't forget about using hashtags!
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